The world number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal in Spanish, said through a video that will be in Colombia on March 21, 2011, the day will play an exhibition game against the number three Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

That's a day after the Indian Wells final and just a few days before Miami starts. Strange timing!

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Re: Novak News!!

I think this is a good analysis of Nole from Todd Martin

Novak Djokovic’s former advisor Todd Martin believes that the sky is the limit for the Serbian if he can improve the mental side to his game, writes Sean Molyneux.

The American, who coached the World No.3 from August 2009 until April this year, was speaking after his quarterfinal victory over Cedric Pioline at the AEGON Masters Tennis in London on Friday.

“The world can be Novak’s oyster, his physical talent is spectacular and he’s got way more fight in him then most people give him credit for,” said Martin.

“The biggest challenge is for him to organise his mind to the point where he can be at peace with any result, any shot, any point, any game, any set, any match. And as he improves that, I think it will dictate his success.”

Martin also hinted at some of the key issues the pair worked on during their brief period together, including Djokovic’s tactical approach during matches.

He said: “Right now when he’s nervous he gets a little cautious. He’s an incredible defender but he’s a much better player when he defends because he has to, as opposed to defending when he chooses. So if he makes a concerted effort to work away from those habits, 2011 should be a good year.”http://www.atpchampionstour.com/news134.html

I know we all hate him after the serve and stuff but I thought everything he said was very true, particularly the bit about being a better defender when he has to rather than when he could easily be controlling a match but chooses to play passive out of nerves/fear or whatever

After Djokovic’s victory, I bumped into Marian Vajda, Djokovic’s coach. Vajda arrived in the middle of the Tipsarevic-Monfils match; he needed eight hours to get from Bratislava, Slovakia, where he lives, to Belgrade (his itinerary: a bus from Bratislava to snow-struck Vienna, Austria, then a delayed flight to Belgrade). Vajda was surprised by the calm atmosphere.

Vajda confirmed Djokovic’s desire to win this tie. “It was tough to make him focus on his matches in London,” he said, referring the ATP World Tour Finals, where Djokovic lost in the semifinals to Roger Federer. Even so, Vajda didn’t like the idea of Djokovic playing doubles and then singles on Sunday against Monfils, who played superb, and mostly error-free, tennis against Tipsarevic.

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Re: Novak News!!

This is an interview with Nole's grandfather, the translator kind of butchered it though(starting with the title,which actually means not to get married yet I think Maybe Sleepwalker or one of the other Serbs might be able to offer a better translation later cos it's not that long

I told my granddaughter that are not yet a woman!
Thursday - 09/12/2010
Novak Djokovic is the only 23 touched something most in the life of a professional athlete. With the national team of Serbia became the world champion.

However, the path to the stars, of course, was not easy, and so did the its development, and what Djokovic was a kid discovers Vladimir (82), grandfather of the best Serbian tennis player of all time.
- As little was talented in tennis, and to kill me, I do not know how he got it. No one in the family is an exceptional athlete. His father, Srdjan, and uncle Goran skiers were terrible, but all recreational. However, remember that Jelena Genchi noted Nole even when he was five. I saw him that tossed the ball over the net and immediately said Srdjan: "This small to bring the training is a great potential" - began to talk of "Hello!" Vladimir antiques.
Well, then followed "Sweet Trouble" for his grandfather Djokovic. Every day at least once and sometimes several times, the grandson of the handle and with the Banjica Partizanove tennis courts near Helena.
- Believe me, every day we went bogovetni. His parents were at that time had a pancake in Kopaonik, and could not be with him in Belgrade, where he went to school, and to guide the training. However, I saw that he really cared to train and because I was not so hard to lead him to a tennis lesson. I was his support in everything. I gave him the money when needed, but Nole has not forgotten. Today we returned several times - honest, Vladimir, adding that Nole was exemplary on and off the court, in school and society.
Novak's grandfather, of course, had the opportunity to meet your future may lass Jelena Ristic, with whom Djokovic in long-term relationship.
- She is a really good kid. I like to say that she is most deserving of all that he has achieved. Follows him everywhere, supporting him, helping him in everything ... Nice are a few - the proud grandfather, but adds that would not like to marry before 27 Nole or 28 year because of his career, although many want great-grandchild.

Novak regular visits grandfather
Vladimir said his grandson had not forgotten, although the old.
- He never came to Belgrade without to visit me. Not be on with me a long time, maybe half an hour, but I mean when it comes. When it's after a triumph - we are happy together - and when you lose - it brave. I tell him he is young and will be a victory. Fortunately, it is more of triumph and celebration.

Nole is beautiful to me
Oldest member of the Djokovic family we tried to find out to whom the Nole Charmer.
- You know what, I do not say, but people say it is nice to me and likes to joke as I do. So if you say - I do not mind - the laughs we have at the end of the talks Vladimir discovered.

I think in the last bit they're suggesting Nole get's his charm from Vladimir

Well) You're on a right track
I don't have a time to translate it..but yes, the title is

I told my grandson not to marry yet

Story facts are more or less known...
Vladimir said that he loves Jelena, that she is a nice kid, that they are a nice couple...and that he wants a grandchild, but it's too early yet.
And yes, Vladimir says (as he says people tells me) that Novak got his charm from him

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Re: Novak News!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleepwalker64

Well) You're on a right track
I don't have a time to translate it..but yes, the title is

I told my grandson not to marry yet

Story facts are more or less known...
Vladimir said that he loves Jelena, that she is a nice kid, that they are a nice couple...and that he wants a grandchild, but it's too early yet.
And yes, Vladimir says (as he says people tells me) that Novak got his charm from him

- As little was talented in tennis, and to kill me, I do not know how he got it. No one in the family is an exceptional athlete. His father, Srdjan, and uncle Goran skiers were terrible, but all recreational.

I knew they were not that talented athletes but somehow this part and the fact it's from their father crack me up.

Quote:

However, remember that Jelena Genchi noted Nole even when he was five. I saw him that tossed the ball over the net and immediately said Srdjan: "This small to bring the training is a great potential" - began to talk of "Hello!" Vladimir antiques.
Well, then followed "Sweet Trouble" for his grandfather Djokovic. Every day at least once and sometimes several times, the grandson of the handle and with the Banjica Partizanove tennis courts near Helena.
- Believe me, every day we went bogovetni. His parents were at that time had a pancake in Kopaonik, and could not be with him in Belgrade, where he went to school, and to guide the training. However, I saw that he really cared to train and because I was not so hard to lead him to a tennis lesson. I was his support in everything. I gave him the money when needed, but Nole has not forgotten. Today we returned several times - honest, Vladimir, adding that Nole was exemplary on and off the court, in school and society.

Love to read how devoted he was to tennis in his childhood.

Quote:

Nole is beautiful to me
Oldest member of the Djokovic family we tried to find out to whom the Nole Charmer.
- You know what, I do not say, but people say it is nice to me and likes to joke as I do. So if you say - I do not mind - the laughs we have at the end of the talks Vladimir discovered.[/i]

I think in the last bit they're suggesting Nole get's his charm from Vladimir

Meeting in Belgrade with Srdjan Djokovic, Novak's father, the leader of the Serbian team of Davis Cup. It helps to structure his son's tennis in Serbia, among others through an academy scheduled to open its doors in 2011.

Srdjan Djokovic, Novak how your son feels he is the event that the Davis Cup final against France?
S. D. : Novak has always had a strong personality. We are a family of athletes. He loves the competition since he was little. He skied a lot with us, but he has more right now because of the risks to its knees. When he started playing tennis at the club Partizan, he wanted to be the best. It is an example for all young people of Serbia. Novak is light at the end of the tunnel to the courts in Serbia. He is aware of this role model and as an ambassador for his country, and takes it very seriously.

What about the proposed tennis academy that he wanted to develop?
S. D. : The construction of the academy is about to start, work should be completed by July, and it will open in September. We have fallen behind because we abandoned our initial idea of the academy in the city of Kragujevac. Despite the support of the mayor, some political structure wanted to get involved and benefit from our efforts, so we all stopped. The purpose of the Academy is to create a single structure in the region that enables talented young Serbian, but also around the world, able to train under optimum conditions without being forced to move far from home, as Novak had to do in Florida. The academy can therefore link our passion for sport with the business.

Specifically, how will this academy does it work?
S. D. : There will be a capacity of thirty rooms that can accommodate fifty young. There will be a spa, pool, excellent facilities. We want to reserve about half the seats for young talents in Serbia. For the rest, I must say there are a lot of interest from Russia because today most of their players must go to Spain to train.

Are you receiving assistance from the tennis federation for this project?
S. D. No, it does not afford. This is not love us, but we have a professional relationship. In France, in your system, when a young talent is spotted, it is supported by your federation, we take care of him from A to Z. I greatly admire your system, and besides, I do not understand why you still do not champion. Here is not lack of money. The tennis exploded three years ago thanks to the exploits of my son but Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. The problem is that the structures are absent. So, young people are alone and must leave the country if they want change. It is this problem that we want a solution with the Academy Djokovic. The challenge is that the Serbian tennis continues to produce champions, even after the retirement of Novak and Jelena.

The Serbian Open returns there in the strategy to sustain tennis in Serbia?
S. D. : Absolutely. The Serbian Open in Belgrade is an initiative 100% Djokovic. We have a little trouble bringing in prestigious players because we are a new tournament, but the friendships and the prestige of Novak helps a lot. This year, Richard Gasquet came by example. The tournament has gone on solid ground because our company is on solid ground. Our company is Family Sport. We manage the tennis academy, the Serbian Open, we distribute brands Head and Sergio Tacchini for all of Southeast Europe. We also have a café and two restaurants, with plans to open others in Serbia and Europe, including Vienna.

"Next year in the finals, it will not be a haircut," said Janko Tipsarevic. "Next year we'll pierce something, or maybe a tattoo."

By the end of his career, Novak Djokovic could be a tattooed skinhead with nose, ear and eyebrow piercings, if he continues in his current vein. The fact that the world No. 3 hailed the triumph as the greatest moment of his career speaks volumes of his attitude to his nation and the team competition.

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Re: Novak News!!

I loved that bit too You can see that Vladimir totally has a soft spot for Nole and dotes over him in comparison to his actual sons,who he is quite blunt about
I think it's cute that Nole lived with his grandparents a lot aswell during the school year when his parents were in Kopaonik.

I don't think we need to have any worries about tattoos and piercings As wild as he can be,he's also quite conservative in some ways.He was the least happy of all of us with that head shaving but felt he should honour the deal(Apparently on court after the shaving, he said "Dear Mother, why have you given birth to me so ugly?" )There is no way he would ever get a tattoo or piercing, I'm sure of it

I loved that bit too You can see that Vladimir totally has a soft spot for Nole and dotes over him in comparison to his actual sons,who he is quite blunt about
I think it's cute that Nole lived with his grandparents a lot aswell during the school year when his parents were in Kopaonik.

Yeah, Nole the Falcon! Kind of off-topic though, one thing that I wasn't happy about Nole's parting with Adidas back then was the Falcon line, which meant a lot to him, had to go like that.

Quote:

I don't think we need to have any worries about tattoos and piercings As wild as he can be,he's also quite conservative in some ways.He was the least happy of all of us with that head shaving but felt he should honour the deal(Apparently on court after the shaving, he said "Dear Mother, why have you given birth to me so ugly?" )There is no way he would ever get a tattoo or piercing, I'm sure of it